What I learned from the people of Mexico
A day before I was to leave for my vacation to Mexico City the gardener was at home for his weekly duty. When I told him I was going to his country he and his wife got so excited. They couldn’t contain their happiness and wanted to give me as many tips as came to their mind. His wife wanted me to try pulque, a traditional Mexican drink made from cactus. Her husband didn’t seem too fond of it. He told me to wear white when I go to Teotihuacan. That’s the tradition he said. He pulled out his phone and showed me pictures of the church and beach in his hometown in Veracruz. I could see his face light up with pride and joy when I said the church was beautiful as was the beach.
This hard working family has served my family for over 15 years now. He was probably living in the country without a valid visa for some time and had not returned home to see his mother for 25 years. I vividly remember the happiness that shone on his face about five years back when he finally became a citizen. “ I’m going to see my mom” he told me then. Like many of his fellow countrymen he came across the border for a better life for his family. But he always maintained his self respect to not become a burden here. My family will not use any state privileges for the poor, he insists. One must earn bread through self efforts is his philosophy.
I observed similar qualities in the people during my visit to his country. They were honest, gentle, friendly, vigilant and hardworking.
We had rented an apartment for our six days stay in Mexico City. One morning we couldn’t find one of the two keys. That day we had to leave early to visit Teotihuacan. We locked the door with the other key and left. In the back of my mind I worried that my daughter had left it on the door at night and someone took it. What if they enter the apartment while we are away? She tried to reassure me she would search for it when we returned later in the afternoon. The attendant at the entrance had been waiting for us to return. He held our key in his hand and told us he found it outside on the door at night so took it into his possession lest some stranger gain access to our apartment. My daughter had forgotten it on the door after all !
There was Salvador, the attendant at a public restroom in Plaza Garibaldi. We simply asked him directions to a nearby market and realizing our limitations with Spanish language he wrote down his phone number on a piece of paper. Call me if you need any further assistance, he said besides giving tips to watch our belongings from pickpockets etc.
During the visit to the castle in Chapultepec park I was about to buy three tickets for us at the kiosk. A policeman guarding the gates rushed to stop me. He asked us our age. You don’t need a ticket, it’s free over 60, he told my husband. He could have stood there and let us pay for three instead of two. Their attitude is to help visitors who are unaware of things at the place.
Service, in its truest sense, I found ingrained in every waiter I met in restaurants, small or big. They just wanted you to enjoy your meal. If you tip them they showed much gratitude but their attitude was never dependent on that tip.
Street vendors were poor but always polite and ,barring a few, didn’t push for you to buy anything from them.
I was looking for epazote seeds and nowhere in the city was I able to find them. Then in Xochimilco when I saw the nurseries along the canal I asked our boatman if these places would have the seeds. He stopped the boat at one nursery for us. When I returned without any seeds, without asking he stopped at the next nursery. Sure enough this time I came back with what I went looking for. He looked so happy that moment.
Every Uber driver we met went out of their way to give us information that could help us. They checked if each of us was comfortable in their car. Pointed out to important landmarks we passed during the drive. There was a pride for their country that shone in their talk when they took us around. The last driver we met who took us to the airport for our departure asked us what places we saw during this trip, told us what more there is to see the next time, what time is best to visit and so much more. He acknowledged the country has its problems and areas that are unsafe for tourists but which country doesn’t ? These people just were a delight to connect with. Always made you feel welcome and at home.
I must mention here also that not once did any driver, ours or others , express road rage even in thick traffic. There was politeness and patience in their demeanor behind the wheel.
There was great contentment seen in all, something that is rare in the USA. They seemed to be more easy going, enjoying small things and not stressing over life in general. Most were religious minded but didn’t display their religious beliefs with outer props, they practiced them instead. A huge proportion were dog lovers. I used to think there are a lot of dog owners in San Francisco. Compared with Mexico City now SF looks insignificant in this regard. We also observed there are hardly any stray dogs or other animals on the street.
Whether on the streets, public restrooms, shopping malls or airports, one always saw men and women sweeping and mopping floors. No wonder every place looked clean at any time of the day.
Despite our language limitations even strangers never grew wary when we stopped to ask directions or other questions.
Many times at work I tend to have a frown when a Hispanic patient rambles and takes twice the time than an English speaking person to come to the point and let me complete the visit. I can see and hope that the generosity shown to me by their countrymen will allow me to practice more patience and understanding towards these people even when I’m running behind in my work.
I could see how the culture of a country is reflected through the majority of its people. If I had to pick one quality that impressed me most here, it would be the politeness. Humility and graciousness were part and parcel of that politeness.
The world can definitely take a page from their book. The goodwill generated by these people and the lessons learned from them must be carried forward as well as reciprocated towards them.
The United States government does not look very kindly at their neigbor in the south. The issue is complex. Illegal immigration is indeed problematic. But on the flip side it is also a fact that this country can’t handle workforce in agriculture and other sectors without these immigrants. There must be some way, a better way than tried so far, to improve the ties between the two countries and make it a win win situation for both.
It took me over three decades to travel across the border but I’m so glad I did. I would never have understood the greatness of that place or its people.
Saree is a gift of love from a dear friend and colleague Sonia Kamat. It is the softest mul cotton with printed colorful polka dots all over and matching tassels at the edge of its pallu. The colorful appearance of this saree is very much in sync with how it was everywhere in Mexico. I coordinated it with earrings and pendant from an artisan we met in Mexico City. As you can see I’m back home now to the familiar surroundings.
Soon after these pictures I was getting sick with chills and congestion and scratchy throat. Had no energy. Did a home Covid test and sure enough it was positive! Spent rest of the day in bed and isolated from the family.
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